Reeves to shield critical clean energy projects from judicial review

UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves is preparing to announce a significant planning reform designed to accelerate the delivery of clean energy and infrastructure projects by curbing judicial reviews. The Treasury stated that parliament would be empowered to designate key projects as being of “critical national importance,” a move that would substantially reduce their exposure to legal challenges on all grounds except human rights.

This policy shift aims to address persistent delays in renewable energy development, particularly for offshore windfarms and solar projects, which have been hindered by lengthy planning permissions and grid connection issues. A Treasury spokesperson noted that vital infrastructure delivery had been “delayed by judicial reviews of projects the country needs,” asserting that the chancellor is introducing “bold changes to support delivery.”

The government also intends to introduce a fixed window for legal challenges on other infrastructure, including transport and water projects. Once this period concludes, planning consent could be updated to address “any legitimate issues,” streamlining the process for developers and regulators alike. The proposal comes as pressure mounts on the government to accelerate energy infrastructure development to meet its goal of building a virtually zero-carbon power system by 2030.

Data from consultancy Cornwall Insight highlights the disconnect between approvals and construction. Last year, a record number of renewable energy projects were given the go-ahead in Great Britain, with the energy capacity of new battery, wind, and solar projects climbing to 45GW, a 96% increase compared to 2024. However, the pace of projects starting up has lagged behind, largely due to long construction timelines and grid connection delays.

The announcement coincides with broader measures to mitigate the cost of living and energy security concerns amid the Iran crisis. On Tuesday, it emerged that the government asked UK supermarkets to consider freezing the prices of some essential foodstuffs to protect the public from inflation fuelled by the Middle East conflict. Reeves is expected to announce further measures to help households with the cost of living on Thursday, including the cancellation of a planned rise in fuel duty.

The proposal comes amid a series of policy moves by Reeves despite uncertainty around the future of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Treasury emphasised that parliament must “take back control” to ensure the construction of power plants, windfarms, and grid connections that will lower bills, strengthen energy security, and deliver growth across the country.